Locking stud and socket snap fastener



April 19, 1938. 1 RosEMAN LOCKING STU-D AND SOCKET SNAP FASTENER Filed May 7. 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l lnfllfllll l lllllllllllllll allll VENTOR TORNEY April 19, 1938. L. ROSEMAN LOCKING STUD AND SOCKET SNAP FASTENER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1937 f ,00 lNv NToR A ORN'EY April 19, 1938. L. RosEMAN LOCKING STUD AND SOCKET SNAP FASTENER Filed May 7, 1957 4'Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR ORNEY April 19, 1938. l.. ROSEMAN' v'2,114,43

LOCKING STUD AND SOCKET SNAP FASTENER Filed May '7, 1957 4 Sheets-Shee 4 i; VENTOR BY j f TORNEY Patented Apr. 19, 1938 UNETED STATES PATENT GFFlCE LOCKING STUDy AND SOCKET SNAP FASTENER 12 Claims.

The present invention is related to that shown and claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 106,325, filed October i9, 1936, wherein the complementa] fastener elements are connectible in the general planes of the garment or article edges in a single movement in directions approximately perpendicular to said edges with ther l5' edges in approximately abutting relation, and the complemental fastener elements are positively locked against accidental disconnection. The fastener disclosed in that application also permits disconnection of all ccmplemental fastener elements quickly at one time and in one simple continuous movement or pulling apart of the edge portions of the garment or article from one end toward the other in directions at angles to v the general planes of said edge portions similar to the movement incident to ripping or tearing of textile fabric.

The fastener disclosed in the above-mentioned copending application includes a stud element secured on one edge portion of the garment or 304 article and a socket element secured on the other edge portion, the stud element being provided with a shank having a head formed with a lateral shoulder or projection, and the socket velement is approximately flat, comprising a single piece of spring sheet metal folded upon itself to form a pair of opposite spring jaws movable apart in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the respective garment edge portion and one jaw formed with a recess or opening to receive and interlock with said shoulder of the stud element when the latter is inserted between the jaws. Also the fastener elements are secured between plies of fabric stitched together with gaps between them, the opening between the jaws of each socket element facing outwardly through one gap in the corresponding edge portion to receive the shank of a stud element which projects from the other edge portion.

One object of the present invention is to provide a fastener of the general character described wherein the socket element shall embody novel and improved features of construction for accurately guiding the head of the head of the stud element through the gap between the plies of fabric and into said opening in the socket element, whereby the socket element shall be invisible and the gap shall be held open even after laundering of the fabric and difculty in properly engaging the stud element with the socket element shall be reduced to the minimum.

Another Objectis to provide a socket element of this character which shall have a novel and improved guide for the head of the studelement that shall also serve toy reenforce the socket element, and shall permit the element to be made 10 thin and with a maximum of spring strength to effectually resist accidental disengagement of the stud element from the socket elements under strains incident to use of the fastener.

A further object is to provide in a fastener of 15` this character, a socket element having novel and improved means to cooperate with stitches for securing the socket element between plies of fabric and positively hold the socket element against turning and against displacement in such a manner as to throw the stud receiving opening out of alinement with the gap between the plies, and to hold the fabric flat and unwrinkled over the socket element; and thus to provide in such a socket element laterally pro- 25 jecting lugs to be traversed by stitches, whereby the element can be firmly secured between the fabric plies with a continuous straight line of stitches. v

Another object is to provide such a socket ele- 30 ment having the free .edges of the jaws so formed as to prevent catching or snagging of said edges in the fabric plies and thereby ensure free movement of the jaws between the plies, and to cause the jaws to be forced together with a wedge action 35 between the fabric plies to tightly grip the stud element under forces applied to the socket element while the latter is connected to a stud element and the fastener is in use.

A further'object is to provide in a fastener of 40 the character described a novel and improved stud element so constructed as to conform to the curvature or angularity of the part over which the fastener is applied, for example, the curves of the body where the fastener is on a garment, or the angular corners of a piece of furniture where the fastener is used in a furniture cover, whereby to ensure a smooth, close joint between the connected edges of the garment or article 50 and to reduce the application of strains tothe fastener which might accidentally disconnect the complementa-l socket and stud elements. i

Other objects, advantages and results will appear from the following description When read in 55 conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a composite plan View of the complemental socket element and stud element parts of the fastener in separated condition, portions of the fabric being broken away for clearness in illustration.

Figure 2 is a plan view on an enlarged scale of a socket element and complemental stud element connected together with the upper plies of the fabric removed.

Figure 3 is a similar View of the opposite sides of the complemental fastener elements.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the fastener with the stud element and socket elements connected.

Figure 5 is a similar view showing the manner of separating the stud elements from the socket elements.

Figure 6 is a plan View of the parts shown in Figure 5.

Y Figures '7 and 8 are horizontal sectional views on the line l-B of Figure 4 looking in the opposite directions respectively.

Figure 9 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the socket element part of. the fastener.

Figure 10 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line I-I0 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line I I-I I of Figure l.

Figure 12 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line I2-I2 of Figure l0.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 11 taken on the line I3--I3 of Figure 1.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of the socket element.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of one side of the socket element viewing it from its rear end.

Figure 16 is a similar view viewing the socket 1element from its front end.

Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 16 showing the opposite side of the fastener element.

Figure 18 is a rear elevational view of the socket element.

Figure'19 is a transverse vertical sectional view through a slightly modified form of the stud element part of the fastener.

Figure 20 is a composite perspective view of a further modification of the fastener wherein the stud element and socket element parts are disposed at right angles to each other as in a furniture cover, showing the fastener parts in separated condition.

Figure 21 is a sectional top plan View of the fastener shown in Figure 20 with the fastener parts connected together.

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a modification of the socket element.

Figure 23 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the socket element of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the fastener shown in Figure 22.

Figures 25 and 26 are views similar to Figures 22 and 23 of` a further modification.

Figure 27 is a transverse vertical sectional view through the fastener shown in Figure 25.

Figure 28 is a detached perspective view of the stud element shown in Figures l to 6 inclusive.

Figure 29 is a similar View of the stud element shown in Figures 20 and 2l, and

Figure 30 is a View similar to Figure 16 showing a modification of the socket element.

The invention contemplates the attachment of .the complemental stud elements and socket elements directly to the edges of a garment or other article to be connected or the attachment of the socket elements and stud elements to fabric tapes which are in turn secured to the edges. Referring to Figures 1 to 13 inclusive, the reference characters A and B designate the edge portions of a garment or article to be connected, or a fabric tape, said edge portions having secured thereto respectively socket elements I and stud elements 2. As shown, the fastener elements are secured between the undersides of the garment edge portions or fabric strips A and B and other fabric strips 3, whereby the fastener elements are disposed between plies of fabric.

Each socket element includes a single piece of spring sheet material folded upon itself as at 4 to form an approximately rectangular flat base having two opposed jaws and 6 one of which has an opening or recess I adjacent the free front edge of the jaw and intermediate its width, while the other jaw has a transverse groove or channel comprising a corrugation which extends inwardly from the free edge of. said jaw beyond the opening, recess or catch 'I in the other jaw to receive and guide the head of the complemental stud element into the recess or opening 1. This corrugation 8 also reenforces the jaw 6 against flexing between its free edge and its juncture with the other jaw 5, so as to ensure the spring action of the jaws occurring at the juncture 4 of the jaws and thereby provide maximum spring strength to effectually resist accidental disengagement of the stud element from the socket element under strains incident to use of the fastener. Also the corrugation with the groove facing the other jaw provides a clearance or space for the stud element so that the main portions of the jaws may be arranged close together and thereby make the socket element of. minimum thickness.

Preferably one jaw 6 is narrower than the other; in other words, the ends of the jaw 6 terminate short of the ends of the jaw 5 as shown in Figure 17, as described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 113,815. Also, at least one jaw, in the present instance the jaw 5 has a pair of lugs S projecting from the rear edge of the jaw in a common plane therewith, and if desired both ends of the jaw may have lugs as shown in Figure 3) where lugs I0 are shown at the front end of the jaw 5 for the purpose about to be described.

It is also desirable that the portions of the front edges of. the jaw 6 at opposite sides of the corrugation 8 recede longitudinally as at II.

The socket elements are secured on the edges of the garment, tape or other article, preferably in equidistantly spaced relation longitudinally of said edges, with the openings between the jaws facing toward the edges and through openings or gaps between the plies or" material. A line of stitches I2 runs longitudinally of said edge of the piece of material adjacent or in abutting relation to the front free edges of the jaws of the socket elements and penetrates the plies of the piece at opposite sides of the socket elements, said line of stitches preferably including superposed reenforcing stitches I3 at opposite sides of the groove or corrugation 8 of each socket element so as to leave a gap or opening I4 between the plies of the pieces in alinement with said groove 8 to receive the head of the complemental stud element. These stitches draw the plies of material tightly over the free front edges of the socket elements and the corrugation 8 maintains the gap in open condition even after laundering of the fabric material so as to constantly ensure a free opening for the insertion of the head of the stud element.

Another line of stitches I5 runs longitudinally of the piece of material adjacent or in abutting relation to the rear end of each socket element and includes tying stitches I6 passi'ng through the plies of material and traversing the lugs 9. In this way, the socket elements are firmly secured in position between the plies of material against turning over and against sliding such as would throw the guide grooves 8 out of alinement with the corresponding gaps I4. Where the socket element has the lugs IIJ at the free iront edge of one jaw, the reenforcing stitches I3 traverse the lugs Ii), and these lugs serve both to firmly secure the socket element against sliding or turning between the plies and also hold taut the material of the plies at opposite sides of the gap I4 so as to prevent loosening or buckling of the material of the plies at the gap in such a manner as to allow the stud element to enter between the socket element and the plies.

Due to the jaws 6 being narrower than the jaw 5 and also due to the lugs 9 in a common plane with the jaw 5, when the socket element is stitched between the plies of fabric the plies are drawn about the socket element as shown in Figures 5, l2, ,and 13 so that the plies overlying the wider jaw 5 are smooth and the socket element does not form a bulge or protuberance in the face ply; substantially the entire bulge resulting from the fastener element is formed in the plies overlying the narrower jaw 6.

Each of the stud elements 2 in includes a substantially flat base Il formed of suitable material and having a shank 20 projecting from one edge thereof having flat sides 2l and a rounded head 22 with a shoulder 23 projecting approximately perpendicularly to the plane of the flat sides 2|, said shoulder merging into the edges 24 of the shank. Also, the base Il preferably has beveled edges i8 for the same reason that the jaw 6 of the socket element is narrower than the jaw 5.

The bases of the stud elements are secured between the plies of the corresponding garment edge or tape in any suitable manner, for example in the same manner as the socket elements are secured, the shanks of the stud elements projecting from the edge of the corresponding piece of material as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 4.

Each stud element is complementa] to one socket element and in connecting the complemental stud elements and socket elements, the edges of the respective pieces of material are moved edgewise toward each other so as to insert the heads of the stud elements between the jaws and in the grooves 8 of the corresponding socket elements, the jaws being sprung apart as said heads are inserted and then snapping over the shoulders 23 to cause interlocking engagement of the edges of the openings or catches '1 with the respective shoulders 23. Due to the relative narrowness of the jaw 6 and the receding front edges il of said jaw, the spring action of they free and unobstructed by frictional engagement of the front edges of the jaws with the fabric. The stud elements and socket elements are thereby positively interlocked with each other and will eifectually withstand all strains tending to pull the edges apart in their own planes which is especialiy important in tight-fitting garments, such as corsets. The guide grooves 8 eifectually guide the heads of the stud elements into the openings and ensure that said heads shall be properly engaged with the corresponding openings without danger of the heads being inserted between the jaws and the respective plies of material or inserted between the jaws out of alinement with the respective openings 1.

Preferably the shanks 2B of the stud elements will be disposed at angles to the planes of the respective bases I'I so that the socket element and stud element parts of the fastener may accurately conform to the curvature or angular formation of the surface with which the fastener contacts when in use, for example the curves of the body or the corners of a piece of furniture. For example, in Figures l to 6 inclusive the Shanks of the stud elements are 4so disposed as to conform to curves of the body as when the fastener is used in a corset, while in Figures 20 and 21 the Shanks ofthe stud elements are approximately perpendicular to the corresponding bases so that the two complemental parts C and D of the fastener may be disposed perpendicularly to each other as in a corner joint of a furniture cover. In Figures 1 to 6 inclusive the stud elements are shaped to conform to a convex curve, but the elements may also be shaped to conform to a concave curve as shown in Figure 19. The shape of the stud elements as described has the further advantage in preventing such relative tilting of the fastener elements as would pry open or excessively spread the jaws of the socket elements under strains when the fastener is in use on curved or angular surfaces. Moreover, the structure ensures a smooth joint between the two parts of the fastener.

The receding portions I I of the edges` of thejaws 6 permit the fabric to be more snugly drawn about the corrugation 8 and accurate-1y shape the gap to receive the stud. For the purpose of preventing cutting of the fabric cfr stitches thefree edge of the jaw t which is parallel to the edge of the piece of material is preferably returned upon itself as at 25. This structure has an additional important function as described and claimed in my co-pending application Serial No. 113,815 in that when the comple-mental fastener elements are connected together and the fastener is in use, the forces applied to the socket elements tending to separate the edges of the pieces of material will draw the free edges of the jaws 5 and 6 of the fastener elements with a wedge action into engagement with the plies of fabricl between which the socket elements are mounted, so as to tightiy force the jaws into interlocking relation with the corresponding stud elements.

The c-omplemental socket elements and stud elements may be separated in a continuous operation by oppositely directed forces on the edges of the pieces of material from one end toward the other in directions at angles to the planes of said edges so as to rotate the socket elements relatively to the stud elements about axes parallel to the general planes of the pieces or the axes of the Shanks of the stud elements and remove the shoulders 23 of the stud elements out of the recesses 'i of the corresponding socket elements as shown in Figures fi to 6 inclusive. Figure i shows the stud element connected to the socket element while Figures 5 and 6 show the stud element rotated to move the shoulder 23 l. This relative movement of the edges of the pieces of material is similar to that of ripping fabric or a seam and permits easy and rapid disconnection or the edges of the pieces. This is especially desirable in tight fitting garments such as corsets, because only one edge need be pulled,

out of the opening the other edge being held stationary by the body.

The separation of the fastener elements is further facilitated by the spring frictional engagement of the jaws with the tapered sides 24 of the stud 5 shanks which tends to eject the studs from the socket elements after the shoulders 23 of the heads have been rotated out of the openings l' as shown in Figure 5.

The fastener elements when connected are held against rotation by the edge portions of the pieces of material and the engagement of the jaws 5 and 6 with the at :sides 2| of the stud shanks.

If desired, the fastener elements may be` separated frolm each other by a relative tilting or hinge-like action which spreads the jaws apart to release the head of the stud element from the` catch 'l of the socket element.

With the invention, it will be observed that when the fastener elements are connected all metal is concealed and the edge portions: of the two pieces of material may be brought into tight abutting relation so as to avoid the necessity for an underlying flap with its disadvantages and annoyances.

Moreover, the edge portions of the pieces of material when they are connected have their outer sides cr faces' smooth and free from bulges and in substantially the same plane or flush with T each other so as to reduce the visibility of the joint between the edges.

Instead of forming the jaw of the socket element with an opening or recess "l, the jaw may have a tooth, lug or catch 26 stamped therefrom s to engage the shoulder 23 of the stud element as shown in Figures 22 to 24 inclusive.

Moreover, if desired the lug or catch to engage the stud element might be formed in the jaw i5 as indicated at 2l' in Figures 25 to 2'? inclusive.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing illustrates the now preferred embodiment of the invention but that many modiiications and changes may be made in the details of construction of the socket element and stud element and their connection to the pieces of material without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a fastener, the combination of two pieces of pliable material disposed in edgewise relation and each comprising a plurality of plies with an opening between them at their edges, a stud element secured between the plies of one of said pieces with a head projecting from said opening 55"in the edge of the piece between the plies thereof,

an approximately iiat socket element secured between the plies of the other piece and having opposed spring jaws with their free front edges disposed at the opening between said plies to receive the head of said stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch to receive and interlock with said head of the stud element and the other jaw having a guide channel facing the first jaw and leading inwardly from the free edge of the jaw and said opening between the plies to said catch for guiding the head of said stud element into said catch.

2. The fastener set forth in claim l wherein said socket element is formed of a sheet of spring vmetal folded upon itself to form the opposed jaws, and said guide channel comprises a corrugation in said jaw which reenforces the jaw against flexing between its free end and its juncture with the other jaw.

75* 3. The fastener set forth in claim 1 wherein said socket element is formed of a sheet of spring metal folded upon itself to form the opposed jaws, said jaws are approximately of the same length, said groove comprises a corrugation in said jaw, and the free edge o-f said jaw recedes longitudinally thereof from and at opposite sides of said corrugation and from said edge of the corresponding piece of material while the free edge of the other jaw is approximately parallel to said edgeof the piece.

4. In a fastener, a piece of pliable material comprising a plurality of plies having one edge of one ply secured to the other with a gap between the plies, `an approximately flat socket element secured between said plies and having opposed spring jaws with their free front edges disposed at said gap: to receive the head of a complemental stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch to receive and interlock with the head of the stud element, stitches passing through said plies close to the front and the rear edges of said socket element, a plurality of lugs on said socket element, and other stitches passing through said plies and traversing said lugs.

5. The fastener set forth in claim 4 wherein said lugs p-roject fromthe edges of one of said jaws in a common plane therewith.

6. The fastener set forth in claim 4 wherein the end edges yof one jaw terminate short of the end edges of the other jaw and said lugs project from the rear edge of said second mentioned jaw in a common plane therewith outwardly of the end edges of the first mentioned jaw.

7. In a fastener, the combination of twopieces of pliable material, each comprising a plurality of plies with an opening between them at their edges, a stud element comprising an approximately flat base secured between the plies of one of said pieces and having a shank with a head projecting from one edge of the base and through said opening in the edge of said piece at an angle to the plane of the base and said piece,l and an approximately flat spring socket element secured between the plies of the other piece with spring jaws having their free edges disposed at said opening in the corresponding piece to receive said head and shank of the stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch to receive and interlock with said head of the stud element.

8. The fastener set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide channel comprises a corrugation in said jaw which reenforces the jaw against flexing between its free end and its juncture with the other jaw.

9. In a fastener, a piece of pliable material comprising a plurality of plies, means securing said plies together at spaced points adjacent one edge of at least one ply to form a gap between said plies at said edge, an approximately flat socket element secured between the plies of said piece and having opposed spring jaws with their free edges disposed at said gap to` receive a complemental stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch toreceive and interlock with said complemental stud element and one jaw having a corrugation forming a groove on the side of the jaw facing the other jaw and leading inwardly from the free edge of the jaw and said gap to said catch, said corrugation forming a rib on the other side of said jaw, whereby the free edges of said jaws and said corrugation hold said plies apart at said gap to maintain the gap freely open to receive said complemental stud element.

10. In a fastener, a piece of pliable material comprising a plurality of plies having one edge of one ply secured to the other with a gap between the plies, an approximately at socket element secured between said plies and having opposed spring jaws with their free front edges disposed at said gap to receive the head of a complemental stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch to receive and interlock with said head of the stud element, said socket element having a plurality of lugs projecting from the free front edge of at least one jaw at opposite sides of said gap between said plies, and stitches passing through the plies of said piece of material and traversing said lugs, whereby to hold taut the plies at opposite sides of said .gap and prevent lateral displacement of said socket element out of alinement with said gap.

11. In a fastener, a piece of pliable material comprising a plurality of plies having one edge of one ply secured to the other with a gap between the plies, an approximately at socket element secured between said plies and having opposed spring jaws with their free front edges disposed at said gap to receive the head of a complemental stud element between them, one of said jaws having a catch to receive and interlock with said head of the stud element, said socket element having lugs projecting from the free front edges of one jaw at opposite sides of said gap and having other lugs projecting from other edges of the element, and means securing said socket element between said plies including stitches passing through said plies and traversing said lugs.

12. In a fastener, a piece of pliable material comprising a plurality of plies, means securing said plies together adjacent one edge of at least one ply to form a gap between said plies, and a at spring socket element having a spring socket to receive and interlock with a complemental stud element, said socket element being secured wholly between said plies with the mouth of said socket adjacent and opening through said gap, the edges of said socket element at its mouth abutting said plies at the sides and ends of said gap to hold the plies apart at said gap and maintain the gap freely open to receive said-stud element.

LEO ROSEMAN. 

